Viscous liquid applicator



Sept. 26, 1961 A. NQVICK 3,0

VISCOUS LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed April 15, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 65INVENTOR 143 1? 604M /Vo v/c BY W MQZM TTORNEYS Sept. 26, 1961 ov cKVISCOUS LIQUID APPLICATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1958 R O T NE V N y wyw ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 15, 1958 TTORNEYS3,001,505 VISCOUS LIQUID APPLICATOR Abraham Novick, Flushing, N.Y.,assiguor to F. L.

Smithe Machine Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New YorkFiled Apr. 15, 1958, Ser. No. 728,637 14 Claims. (Cl. 118--212) Thisinvention relates in general to adhesive applicators and particularly toa new and useful adhesive applicator having an angularly disposedrotating applicator die for applying adhesive to work advanced along apath spaced laterally from an adhesive reservoir.

Previously, with adhesive applicators, it was necessary to advance itemsrequiring adhesive, such as envelope blanks for example, beneath areservoir of the adhesive in order to effect transfer of the adhesive tothe envelope blanks. Such mechanisms had the obvious disadvantage ofcontaminating the blank feeding line with adhesive.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novelarrangement of mechanism including a transfer segment arranged forrotation at an oblique angle to the work forwarding area, to permittransfer ofadhesives from a reservoir spaced laterally from the workadvancing area.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedadhesive applicator mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adhesive applicatormechanism including a constantly rotating applicator segment diearranged obliquely to the work advancing area and effective to contactand pick up adhesive from a reservoir roller and transfer it to workpieces advanced along a path laterally spaced from a reservoir of theadhesive.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adhesive applicatorwhich is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical tomanufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages, and specific objects obtained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated and described a preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a portion of anenvelope machine indicating the improved adhesive applicator die segmentmechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan of a portion of an envelope machineindicating the improved adhesive applicator constructed in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodiedtherein includes a glue applicator mechanism generally designated (FIG.2), arranged on one side of a moving conveyor 12 which forms part of anenvelope making machine (a portion of which is shown). It should beappreciated that while the mechanism will be described with particularreference to the application of adhesive to envelope blanks, theinvention is equally applicable for applying glue to any work piecesadvanced into operative association therewith.

In the present instance, envelope blanks 14 are arranged in equallyspaced locations on the conveyor 12 by known mechanism (not shown) andare advanced in precise States Patent timed movement into operativeassociation with the adhesive-applying mechanism 10 for the applicationof adhesive along an area of predetermined width and elongation.

The glue applicator 10 is supported from a main frame 16 of theenvelope-making machine on a cros member 18 which extends transverselyof the conveyor 12. The mechanism 10 includes a large bracket castinggenerally designated 20 which fits around and is slidable along themember 18. The complete applicator assembly is secured at a preselectedposition along the member 18 by bolts which extend through a backingplate 21 and into the casting 20. The bracket casting 20 includes abearing portion 22 which rotatably supports a main drive shaft 24. Thedrive shaft 24 is provided with a suitable gear (not shown) arranged toreceive power from other operating portions of the mechanism and torotate the shaft in precise timed relationship to envelope blankadvance. The shaft 24 is also provided with a gear 26 which is afiixedthereto and rotates therewith, and. which engages a gear 28 affixed to ashaft 30. The shaft 30 is supported in spaced bearing portions 32 and 34of the bracket casting 20.

The end of the shaft 30 outboard of the portion 34 is provided with agear 36 which drives through two idler gears 38 and 40 to a gear 42affixed to a reservoir roller shaft 44. The extreme end of the reservoirroller shaft i4 is splined as at 45 to receive a crank handle forjacking the mechanism to free the moving parts of adhesive prior to itsinitial operation after a shut-down.

The shaft 44- is rotatably supported on a laterally extending portion 46of the bracket casting 20. Afiixed to the shaft 44 is a reservoir roller48 which is constantly rotated in an adhesive bath 50 of the reservoirtank 52. The tank 52 is supported by the bracket casting 20 by bolts 54which are threaded into upstanding bosses 56 formed in the bottom of thetank 52. i A stationary scraper plate 58 is afiixed to the bracketportion 20 and has a side 60 which is positioned adjacent one side ofthe reservoir roller 43 to prevent excessive pick-up of adhesive on theroller along this side.

A side 62 of the roller 48 which is adjacent the outer edge of thereservoir tank 52 is utilized to pick-up and transfer adhesive. Inaccordance with the invention, in order to insure that the preciseamount of adhesive is picked up on the side 62 of the roller 48, anadjustable doctor blade or scraper 64 is provided to doctor the surfaceof this side. The scraper 64 is L-shaped, and one portion thereof, 66,is arranged in contact with the side of the reservoir roller 43. Anotherportion, 68, is slidably positioned within a U-shaped bracket 70 whichis atfixed to the laterally extending portion 46. A stud 72 is affixedto the end of the portion 68, and it extends through an upstandingbearing boss 74 affixed to the laterally extending portion 46. A set ofadjusting washers 76 and 73 are threaded onto the stubs 72 on each sideof the bearing boss 74. Adjustment of the position of the adjustingwashers76 and 78 on the studs 74 may be made to effect properpositioning of the portion 66 of the scraper 64, in order to achieve thedesired amount of doctoring of adhesive from the reservoir roller 48.

In accordance with the invention, a positioning bar 80 is affixed to thebearing portion 32 of the bracket casting 20. A segment bearing bracketgenerally designated 82 is suitably grooved on its back face to permitits positioning on the bar 80 adjacent the outer face of the bracketcasting 20. The segment bearing bracket 82 includes a substantiallyvertical mounting portion 84 and a bearing hub portion 85, disposed atan angle thereto. A shaft 86 is rotatably mounted in the bearing hubportion and is provided with a bevel gear 88 at its upper end whichmeshes with a similar bevel gear 3 89 afiixed to the shaft 30. Rotationof the shaft 86 is effected by drive shaft 24 through gears 26, 28, 89and 88.

Atlixed to the opposite end of the shaft 86 is an angularly disposedadhesive applicator segment die generally designated 90. The segmentbearing bracket 82 may be adjustably positioned on the bracket casting20 to effect proper positioning of a beveled transfer surface 92-of theapplicator die 96 in contact with the reservoir roller side 62 and inproper closely spaced relationship with a backing roller 94 arrangedalongside the conveyor 12.

In order to effect fine adjustment of the location of the segmentapplicator die 90 both in respect to the work being advanced on theconveyor 12 and to the reservoir roller 48, the segment bearing bracket32 is made adjustable in respect to the bracket casting 20. The bracket82 is slidable on the bar 80 under the influence of a handle generallydesignated 96 which is pivoted at 9% on the bracket casting 20. An endtip 103 of the handle 96 is positioned Within a recess 102 of thesegment bearing bracket 82. Movement of the handle 96 effects movementof the bearing bracket 82 on the bar 80. When the segment is properlypositioned, the bracket is secured in position by a fastening handle 104which has an end portion 106 which is threaded into the bracket casting20. An adjustable screw positioning stop 108 is mounted on an anglebracket 110 on the bracket casting 2t), and it is provided to contactthe bracket 82 in its correctly aligned position.

As each envelope blank 14 is advanced along on the conveyor 12, an edgeis brought over the backing roller 94. The angularly disposed segmentapplicator die 90 is rotated into touching contact with the side 62 ofthe reservoir roller 48 to effect a transfer of adhesive to the die 90.(See FIG. 1). As the applicator die 90- is rotated past the reservoirroller 84, the next envelope blank 14 is advanced to a position with itsforward lateral edge adjacent the backing roller 94. The length of thesegment in this instance is such to apply a line of adhesive 10 9 alongthe edge of the blank 14 which does not extend to the forward andtrailing edges. Adjustment may be made in the location of the transferapplicator segment die W in respect to the positioning against thereservoir roller 48 in order to effect the proper amount of contact andtransfer of adhesive. Further adjustments in adhesive transfer are madeby the adjustable scraper 64.

Thus, the invention provides an adhesive applicator which may bepositioned alongside the work advancing area rather than over it, andarranged to operate without contaminating the work area with adhesive.The provision of an angularly disposed transfer and applicator diesegment permits easy control of the extent and location of adhesivewhich is applied to advanced work pieces.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventionprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. An applicator for a viscous liquid, such as adhesive or the like,comprising a liquid reservoir, a reservoir roller having a side transferface arranged to rotate in said reservoir with the lower portion thereofdipping into the liquid of said reservoir, a rotating applicator diemember arranged with the axis of rotation disposed at an angle to theaxis of rotation of said reservoir roller and having an adhesivetransferring cont-act face arranged to rotate through an aresubstantially tangent to said reservoir side transfer face and extendinglaterally to one side of said reservoir, means to shift said applicatordie roller to move said contact face toward and away from said reservoirroller side transfer face, and drive meansconnected to said reservoirroller and said ap- 4 plicator roller die member and efiective to drivesaid applicator roller die member in any one of its adjustablepositions, said applicator die roller being shiftable a substantialamount without disengaging it from said drive means.

2. An envelope machine including conveyor means for advancing a seriesof envelope blanks in succession, and an adhesive applicatormechanismarranged alongside said conveyor mechanism including anadhesive reservoir, a reservoir roller arranged to rotate in saidreservoir with a portion thereof dipping into the adhesive therein, arotating applicator die member arranged with its axis of rotationdisposed at an angle to said reservoir roller axis and having anadhesive transferring contact face arranged to rotate through an aresubstantially tangent to a side face of said reservoir roller andintercepting the path of movement of said envelope blanks whereby totransfer adhesive from said reservoir roller to said blanks, means toshift said applicator die to move said contact face toward and away fromthe side face of said reservoir roller, and the path of movement of saidenvelope blanks, and drive means connected to said reservoir roller andsaid applicator roller die member and effective to drive said applicatordie in any of its adjustable positions.

3. An envelope machine including conveyor means for advancing a seriesof envelope blanks in succession, supporting bracket means extendingacross. said con veyor means, an adhesive applicator mechanism slidablymounted on said bracket means and including: a liquid reservoir, areservoir roller arranged to rotate within said reservoir with a portionthereof dipping into the liquid therein, a rotating applicator diemember arranged with its axis of rotation disposed at an angle to saidreservoir roller and having an adhesive transferring contact facearranged to rotate through an arc substantially tangent to a side faceof said reservoir roller and intercepting the path of movement of saidenvelope blanks whereby to transfer said adhesive from said reservoirroller to said blanks, means to shift said applicator die member to movesaid contact face toward and away from the path of movement of saidenvelope blanks, and drive means connected to said reservoir roller andsaid applicator roller die member and effective to drive said applicatordie in any of adjustable positions.

4. An envelope machine according to claim 3, wherein said applicator diemember is mounted on an applicator die shaft, and said drive meansincludes meshing bevel gear members which are relatively shift-ablewithout going out of meshing engagement to permit adjustment of saidapplicator die.

5. An envelope machine according to claim 4, including a frame, abearing bracket slidable on said frame and including a bearing portionsupporting said applicator die roller shaft, and means to adjustablyposition said bearing bracket member on said frame member.

6. A liquid applicator comprising a liquid reservoir, a reservoir rollerrotatably supported above said reservoir at a location to permit aportion thereof to dip into the liquid of said reservoir, an input shaftmember rotatably supported above said reservoir, means to connect saidinput shaft member for continuous rotation, gear means connecting saidinput shaft member to said reservoir roller for rotation thereof, anapplicator die shaft rotatably mounted at an angle to said input shaftmember, gear means connecting said input shaft member and saidapplicator die shaft, an applicator die member on said applicator dieshaft arranged to rotate through an are substantially tangent to a sideface of said reservoir roller and extending laterally from saidreservoir, and means to shift said applicator shaft and said applicatordie member toward and away from the side face of I said reservoir rollerwhile maintaining a portion of said gear members in operativeengagement.

7. A liquid applicator according to claim 6, including an upstandingsupporting frame connected to said reservoir, a bearing bracket memberslidable on said supporting frame and including a bearing portionrotatably supporting said applicator die shaft, and means to adjustablyposition said bearing bracket member on said supporting frame.

8. A liquid applicator according to claim 5, including a doctor bladesupporting bracket adjacent a side face of said reservoir roller, adoctor blade member including a doctor blade adjacent a side face ofsaid reservoir roller for contacting said roller and a portion slidableon said doctor blade supporting bracket, and means to adjust theposition of said doctor blade member whereby to adjust the clearance ofthe doctor blade portion in respect to the side face of said reservoirroller.

9. A liquid applicator according to claim 7, including means to securesaid bearing bracket in its adjusted position.

10. A liquid applicator according to claim 6, wherein said adhesiveapplicator die member is a curved segment including a bevel facearranged in liquid transferring relationship with said reservoir roller.

11. A liquid applicator for a viscous liquid, such as adhesive or thelike, comprising a liquid reservoir, a reservoir roller having a sidetransfer face arranged to rotate in said reservoir with the lowerportion thereof dipping into the liquid of said reservoir, a rotatingapplicator die member arranged with the axis of rotation disposed at anangle to the axis of rotation of said reservoir roller and having anadhesive transferring contact face arranged to rotate through an aresubstantially tangent to said reservoir side transfer face and extendinglaterally to one side of said reservoir, means to shift said applicatordie roller to move said contact face toward and away from said reservoirroller side transfer face, and drive means connected to said reservoirroller and said applicator roller die member and. effective to drivesaid applicator roller die member in any one of its adjustablepositions, said applicator being mounted on an applicator die shaft, andincluding a frame member, and bearing bracket support means for saidshaft slidable on said frame member to permit shifting of saidapplicator die roller while maintaining said drive means intact.

12. A liquid applicator according to claim 11, wherein said drive meansincludes mating bevel gear portions which may be shifted relativelywithout these portions going out of meshing engagement.

13. A liquid applicator for a viscous liquid, such as adhesive or thelike, comprising a liquid reservoir, a reservoir roller having a sidetransfer face arranged to rotate in said reservoir with the lowerportion thereof dipping into the liquid of said reservoir, a rotatingapplicator die member arranged with the axis of rotation disposed at anangle to the axis of rotation of said reservoir roller and having anadhesive transferring contact face arranged to rotate through an aresubstantially tangent to said reservoir side transfer face and extendinglaterally to one side of said reservoir, means to shift said applicatordie roller to move said contact face toward and away from said reservoirroller side transfer face, and drive means connected to said reservoirroller and said applicator roller die member and effective to drive saidapplicator roller die member in any one of its adjustable positions,

said reservoir being provided with doctor blade means including a membermovable toward and away from the side face of said reservoir roller.

14. A liquid applicator for a viscous liquid, such as adhesive or thelike, comprising a liquid reservoir, a reservoir roller having a sidetransfer face arranged to rotate in said reservoir with the lowerportion thereof dipping into the liquid of said reservoir, a rotatingapplicator die member arranged with the axis of rotation disposed at anangle to the axis of rotation of said reservoir roller and having anadhesive transferring contact face arranged to rotate through an arcsubstantially tangent to said reservoir side transfer face and extendinglaterally to one side of said reservoir, means to shift said applicatordie roller to move said contact face toward and away from said reservoirroller side transfer face, and drive means connected to said reservoirroller and said applicator roller die member and effective to drive saidapplicator roller die member in any one of its adjustable positions,said reservoir including a doctor blade supporting bracket mounted insaid reservoir, a doctor blade member including one portion extendingsubstantially parallel to a side face of said reservoir roller andanother portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of saidroller, said latter portion being slidable on said doctor blade mountingbracket, and means to adjust the position of said doctor blade inrelation to said side face of said reservoir roller by sliding saidportion on said doctor blade mounting bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

